By Casey Gane-McCalla, Assistant Editor May 28, 2009 10:11 am
Spike Lee had an interview with Ed Gordon on Our World with Black Enterprise scheduled to air this weekend. In the interview he complained about “coonery and buffoonery” and both of Tyler Perry’s shows “Meet the Browns” and “House of Payne,” comparing them to characters from minstrel shows.
From EurWeB: “We’ve had this discussion back and forth. When John Singleton [made 'Boyz in the Hood'], people came out to see it. But when he did ‘Rosewood,’ nobody showed up. So a lot of this is on us! You vote with your pocketbook, your wallet. You vote with your time sitting in front of the idiot box, and [Tyler Perry] has a huge audience. We shouldn’t think that Tyler Perry is going to make the same film that I am going to make, or that John Singleton or my cousin Malcolm Lee [would make]. As African-Americans, we’re not one monolithic group, so there is room for all of that. But at the same time, for me, the imaging is troubling and it harkens back to ‘Amos n’ Andy.’”
Why Tracy Morgan Isn’t Taking Us Two Steps “Each artist should be allowed to pursue their artistic endeavors, but I still think there is a lot of stuff out today that is coonery and buffoonery. I know it’s making a lot of money and breaking records, but we can do better. … I am a huge basketball fan, and when I watch the games on TNT, I see these two ads for these two shows (Tyler Perry’s “Meet the Browns” and “House of Payne”), and I am scratching my head. We got a black president, and we going back to Mantan Moreland and Sleep ‘n’ Eat?
MY OPINION: I must admit that when I see commercials for Meet the Browns I cringe. All I think is goodness, there are "other" people watching this saying "see, I told you black folks are really that ignorant." I understand comedy & there are plenty of shows with "other" people who act a lot worse than Mr. Brown, but I still think that the show puts us back a little. As an actress I have to think about it on the other side too. If I was offered a part on that show, would I take it? The truth...I would. Which kind of makes me a hypocrite doesn't it??? But that's another discussion. But much success to Spike, Tyler & every other director that has made a way for themselves!!! Until next time, stay Blessed & encouraged!!
its a dilemna. As an aspiring actor, one might be considered dumb to refuse a role that would offer so much exposure...yet its an embarassment not only to the community of conscious folk, but also to the serious acting community. what they do on these shows can hardly be called acting...more like clowning. I guess the dilemna forces you to answer the question 'why do i act?' If i was asked to go on and coon like the rest, id decline. If my role could soehow be serious and substantial it woulld force me to consider it.....but then again, do i even want to be associated ith this foolishness....or support it?!
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